NEW RELEASES: SOUL ON THE REAL SIDE #; RAJDULARI - JOURNEY OF A WOMAN; JARED GOLD - JG3+3

REAL SIDE RECORDS PRESENTS SOUL ON THE REAL SIDE #1 (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Contemporary cuts mixed with rare soul nuggets – all in a blend that goes way beyond the usual soul compilation! The Real Side team have issued a number of underground tracks on their own during the past decade – but they've also got ears that are really tuned towards a unique slice of soul from the 70s – those tracks that might have a deep soul feel in the vocals, but a modern soul element in the rhythms – a blend of rough and smooth that really sparkles strongly on the older tracks on this set! These 70s gems are interspersed with some of the newer material discovered by the pair – and the collection is a treasure trove of soul discoveries – with titles that include "Love's Journey" by Mebus, "I Can't Get Enough Of Your Love" by James Bradley, "I Need Your Love" by Patterson Twins, "Real Love (Tom Moulton mix)" by Jacqui Williams, "Rainbow" by Madagascar, "Let Your Love Rain Down On Me" by Jewel Bass, "Looking Up To You" by Michael Wycoff, "Am I Cold Am I Hot" by Bill Harris, "I Can't Do Enough For You Baby" by Tommy Tate, "Hold On To The Blues" by Lonnie Givens, and "I Should Be With You Tonight (Moonlight Studios rmx)" by Jesse Gomez. ~ Dusty Groove.

RAJDULARI - JOURNEY OF A WOMAN

A really great debut from Rajdulari – a singer with a hell of a strong voice, and a great ability to mix her lyrics with funky instrumental elements – maybe the best artist to do so since the debut of Jill Scott! The record's got a really special sort of punch – a quality that's upbeat and positive, yet laidback and confident too – never over-postured, but perfectly put-together – with a quality that sends the whole thing out of the park from the very first tune! It's great to hear a record this fresh, and this striking – especially from an artist we've never dug before – a really fresh voice that's one of the best new soul singers we've heard from New York in years. Titles include "Natural", "Peace", "Open Air", "Real Love", "Miracles", "Juicy", and "Journey Of A Woman". ~ Dusty Groove

JARED GOLD - JG3+3

Jared Gold's Hammond trio is nicely augmented here by three other horn players – as you might guess from the album's title! Gold's Hammond is one of the best things going for the Posi-Tone label these days – and a perfect fit for their old school style of recording – a mode that's expanded even more strongly with the presence of Patrick Cornelius on alto, Jason Marshall on baritone, and Tatum Greenblatt on trumpet! The added players soar strongly alongside the electric lines from Gold and guitarist Dave Stryker – in a formation that's definitely got some contemporary sense of structure, delivered with a classic sense of soul. Titles include "Cubano Chant", "Charcoal Blues", "Shower The People", "Sermonette", "Spirits", and "Pendulum". ~ Dusty Groove